Our Sustainable Future The world we know is changing. Human civilization has had an unappalled effect on the entire world. From the amount of resources we use, to the amount of harmful chemicals we release into the atmosphere, we are greatly affecting our planet. For humanity to survive and thrive, many changes need to be put into place in order to secure our spot in the future. We need to figure out a way to sustain and fix the planet we have, before we do even more irreparable damage to it. The constant utilization of fossil fuels has released an unprecedented amount of CO2 in the air, as well as other harmful particulates. As of 2011, the concentrations from CO2 in the air reached 391.3 ppm, which rose from 399.56 from the previous year (worldwatch.org, 2013). We, as a people have begun to realize the effects we’ve been having, and are starting to come up with plans to fix the problems we made. This paper is going to talk about policy changes that can be put into effect that will drastically improve our air quality, and make sure our Earth is sustainable for generations to come. First something needs to be done about the oil usage in the United States. We are entirely too reliant on oil, gasoline, and the like. As of 2009, the world produced and used around 76 billion liters of ethanol and 16 billion liters of biodiesel for that year (Worldwatch.org, 2010). The burning of these fuels releases carbon and other gases into the air. The release of carbon and carbon
This source features a report by Jill U. Adams on the dangers, and current regulations of air pollution and climate change. Holding a Ph.D. in pharmacology from Emory University, the author primarily writes a health column for the Washington Post. She has also been featured in the magazines Audubon, Scientific American and Science. Because this article covers climate change, there is an inherent liberal bias. However, this bias coincides with irrefutable scientific data proving the existence of climate change. The audience for this article is anyone effected by air pollution and climate change; just about everyone. This source upholds my speculation that human beings have a significant effect on the climate. Before reading this article, I wasn’t aware that 55 million people a year died from air pollution. I found this source on CQ Researcher while searching for ‘pollution.’
Air pollution are impacting the environment, and it is imperative that laws are enforced to help build and sustain a better air quality. Air pollutants can be in the form of particulate matter which can be very harmful to our health. Stimulation to our eyes, nose, throat, and breathing infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia are all short-term effects. You’re head might hurt, you might want to puke, and you might have allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can put people with asthma and emphysema in a worse condition. Long lasting breathing disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to your brains, nerves, livers, or kidneys are all long-term effects. If you’re exposed to air pollution continuously, it would affect children’s lungs and may complicate medical conditions for the elders. Some people argue and deny the bad air problem. They claim that pollution may actually be good for the Earth. The hazy weather caused by pollution has made plants far more productive when it comes to scrubbing greenhouse gasses out of the air. Pollution has turned plants into better carbon dioxide processing machines. But this is bad for our own health. Pollution is causing global warming which leads to massive ice land melting. Polar bears and other animals that live there are losing there habitats and even dying. Melting ice could also lead to more sea water which would bury some cities or land near the coastal areas. There is already a tremendous amount of people on this planet. If our land decreases, and our population continues to increase, some people would have to start living on another planet; therefore, making it a priority to address the areas
Sustainability is a growing concern for many individuals and companies as resources are becoming increasingly limited, hazardous, and expensive. Over the last few years, more people have been informed about sustainable options, which have been easier to obtain and contribute to, as well as wanting to purchase more sustainable options from companies. Since the idea of sustainability is so broad, everyone can contribute in a way they feel is most beneficial. Whether individuals and companies are giving back for personal or self-regarding reasons, it is still helping give back to the environment and provide a more sustainable future.
Since the Industrial Revolution there has been a dramatic increase of the burning of fossil fuels and other human related activities, which has increased the concentration of anthropogenic green house gases in the atmosphere. According to Bernsetein and Rice, “Greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to the warming of the planet's average temperature by 0.8°C since 1880 (and two-thirds of that since 1980)” (pg. 1). This increase of temperature and poor air quality has had negative effects on the respiratory health of people worldwide. Morbity and mortality rates have increased for Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and other chronic lung diseases as a result.
Global warming has been a controversial topic for years and some have even denied its existence; however, as more studies are being published every day in regards to our changing climate, it is hard to ignore this growing issue and how humans contribute to it. The term greenhouse gases refers to the group of gases that are primarily responsible for global warming and chief among these gases is carbon dioxide. Rising carbon dioxide levels can be attributed to a combination of burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum as well as deforestation in general ( Source A). To slow the effects of global warming, it is important for leaders in our society to consider their greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, and make
Today carbon emissions are the highest they have been in the world since the industrial revolution and if we don't change, we could destroy whole ecosystems. According to recent studies the united states is the leading producer of carbon emissions in the world. We need to address the issue and start a cause for change before everything is damaged.
Most atmosphere warming patterns are likely because of human activities. Since the Industrial Revolution, the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas has emitted tons of billions of CO2, and this is still in the atmosphere. Global climate change will influence individuals and the earth in many ways. Some of these impacts are the loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves. According to The American Lung Association, “The annual, national air quality "report card" found that 166 million Americans live with unhealthful levels of air pollution, putting them at risk for premature death and other serious health effects like lung cancer, asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage, and developmental and reproductive harm”. One’s generation is able to inform people what the consequences of rapid climate change are. In this way, people will feel concerned about it and stop doing what causes more damage to the atmosphere. This is possible by doing campaigns, meetings, and sharing information through social media about the consequences and what people can do to stop rapid climate change. It is time to take action towards this serious problem that affects
If we don’t collaborate and decreases the levels of gasses added to our atmosphere , “Someday, our children, and our children’s children, will look at us in the eye and they’ll ask us, did we do all that we could when we had the chance to deal with this problem and leave them a cleaner, safer, more stable world?” - President Barack Obama, June 25, 2013Buy organically and locally grown foods. Avoid processed items. “ since 18 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from meat and dairy production”. Reduce emission in transit by; Flying less.”Aviation is responsible for 2% of manmade CO2 emissions worldwide”. Rely on public transportation, biking and walking when possible. Become informed, search and become familiar with the topic. Share it, not everybody is aware of climate change, how are we contributing to it and what can be done to decrease the percentage of gasses added to the greenhouse effect every year. Volunteer and donate, Find ways to help out the community. This includes but not limited to recycling and helping the environment
Air, is one of the most substantial source to mankind and our planet. While it exists, so does everything else along. However, in today’s epidemic, there has been certain factors that have increased in understanding whether the air we breathe today is healthy or not? Is it doing more harm than we thought? In other words, the health risks against air pollution have risen in the past few decades; all from what you may ask? Well, it could be for various factors and evaluations; either environmental or materialistic. Pollution is a major public health crisis in the world. (Friis, 2012). This is one of the conflicts that contribute to various aspects of an individual’s life, whether they may realize it or not. In this paper will include the sources that cause pollution with the effects it cause as well as policies on the regulation of air pollution.
PURPOSE: To persuade my audience that we must take action now to control air pollution
Well, let me tell you, a lot! First, we can start by eliminating the use of hazardous fossil fuels. This might seem impossible considering nearly every product we use is made from such “fossilized sunshine.” However, fossil fuels are considered non-renewable resources, which makes them exhaustible. We will inevitably move towards renewable energy, so why not start now, and save all the unnecessary losses. We can start by adding a carbon tax, and I don’t mean more taxes. Instead of having payroll tax we can shift the tax to carbon. By putting a tax on carbon, we force people to consider the negative effects that result from emitting carbon. This way people will be more reluctant on producing it. Once that is in effect we can introduce solar energy. Yes, you might think “the sun doesn’t shine 24/7” You’re right. That’s why we have Gigafactories. In these factories, Tesla batteries are created to store the solar energy. To transition the entire world into sustainable energy we will need only about 100 of these Gigafactories. What better way to reverse climate change! There are countless solutions to climate change. While you wait for the substantial changes to occur, we can start on the minor changes. Drive less, recycle more, and move closer to work. A small step can lead to a dramatic difference. Reversing the course of climate change will not be easy, but the tools are in our
The average family in the United States causes about eighty-five tons in climate change according to Cleaner and Greener Leonardo Academy. That much pollution produced by just one family is already enough to harm the environment so imagine what all the families in the world produce and how much harm that is causing. In this essay I will be explaining what causes different kinds of air pollution, why they are harmful to the environment and the people living in it, and what people can do to help reduce the amount of air pollution in the air.
The population on Earth is expanding rapidly which goes hand in hand in the degradation of the environment at large measures. The human’s appetites for needs are disarranging the environments natural equilibrium. Our production industries are venting smoke and discharging chemicals that are polluting our water. The smoke that is emitted into the atmosphere holds unappealing gases such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. The high
The human population is an advanced system that does many complicated tasks. It has developed technological breakthroughs that primitive people could not even begin to fathom. Understandably, the modern human race’s technology uses immense amounts of energy that comes, usually, comes from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are great in the short term for many reasons, but mostly because they are already in use for a majority of the world and they are easily accessible. Unfortunately, the great energy source that is fossil fuels is indirectly destroying the humans’ environment, earth. The burning of fossil fuels, the process where energy is harvested from fossil fuels, releases greenhouse gases. The result of long-term release of these gases is
Air pollution is the infiltration of chemicals or toxic molecules into the atmosphere. In the global context many countries including China, the United States, Mexico, and others are haunted by pollution in the air. However each has a certain degree of air pollution different from the other. Air pollution kills animals and plants by intoxicating our bodies with harmful bacteria and chemicals. Unless our bodies become immune or we learn to clear the pollution earth 's ecosystem will slowly but surely die taking every species with it. And most countries are not taking or promoting precautions against the admittance of it into their atmosphere. As the human species is the main cause for the speedy progress of air pollution we should all be addressing the issue. Not only in one 's respective country but globally. And even if the widespread effects of air pollution are not immediate that doesn 't mean that at some point it won 't become a crisis that the world will need to face.